Motion control device for interfacing with a computing device

ABSTRACT

A motion control device for interfacing with a computing device translates user interaction into an input signal to manipulate the output of the computing device. The motion control device includes a protective housing, a wheel-mounting extrusion, a rotary wheel, a primary joystick, at least one thumbstick, a plurality of programmable buttons, and a microcontroller. The protective housing supports the wheel-mounting extrusion, the primary joystick, and the at least one thumbstick. The rotary wheel is rotatably connected to the wheel-mounting extrusion. The microcontroller is enclosed within the protective housing. The rotary wheel, the primary joystick, and the at least one thumbstick are electronically connected to the microcontroller. The manipulation of the rotary wheel, the primary joystick, and the at least one thumbstick is translated into an input signal that is communicated to the computing device through the microcontroller.

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patentapplication Ser. No. 62/603,362 filed on May 26, 2017. The currentapplication is filed on the next business day, which is May 29, 2018,while May 26, 2018 was on a weekend and May 28, 2018 was on a nationalholiday (Memorial Day).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a peripheral device forcomputers. More specifically, the present invention relates to a motioncontrol device for computer interfacing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditionally, users interface with a computing device using an inputdevice to translate actions from the user into an input signal to beprocessed by the computing device. These input signals allow the user tosignal intended actions for the computer to take in order to produce adesired output. Common input devices include a computer mouse andkeyboard for the user to select specific locations displayed to them andinput text, respectively. While these input devices are effective, theseinput devices may not be the most intuitive or comfortable for the userto implement.

An objective of the present invention is to provide an input device thatis comfortable to use, intuitive, and efficient for the user to inputprocess signals to a computing device. The present invention is a motioncontrol device for interfacing with a computing device. The presentinvention allows the user to access a plurality of inputs withoutsignificant spatial translation of the user's hand to increase theuser's response time. The present invention implements a plurality ofbuttons, a primary joystick, at least one thumbstick, and a rotary wheelin order to respectfully execute a plurality of computer macros,instructions that expands automatically into a set of instructions toperform a particular task. The plurality of button, the primaryjoystick, the at least one thumbstick, and the rotary wheel arepositioned within the width of and ergonomically for an average humanhand in order for the user to efficiently interact with the presentinvention. The present invention is intended to provide a user withquicker inputs while playing videogames, engaging in driving simulators,or robotic control then the user would have with a traditional keyboard.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a right view of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a left view of the present invention, wherein the presentinvention comprises a wrist pad.

FIG. 7 is schematic view of the present invention, wherein the presentinvention comprises a bus connector.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the present invention, wherein the presentinvention comprises a wireless transceiver.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describingselected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limitthe scope of the present invention.

The present invention is a motion control device for interfacing with acomputing device. The present invention is an input device that providesthe user with access to a plurality of executable macros. The pluralityof executable macros is a set of programmed command signals to send tothe computing device based on the user's interaction with the presentinvention for the desired output by the computing device. The pluralityof executable macros is manageable by the user through software to mapand remap macros to specific combinations of user inputs, in accordanceto the user's preference. Each macro is a single instruction thatexpands into a set of instructions to perform the user intended task.

In accordance to FIG. 1, the present invention comprises a protectivehousing 1, a wheel-mounting extrusion 2, a rotary wheel 3, a primaryjoystick 4, at least one thumbstick 5, a plurality of programmablebuttons 6, and a microcontroller 7, shown in FIG. 8. The protectivehousing 1 supports the wheel-mounting extrusion 2, the primary joystick4, and the at least one thumbstick 5, as well as protecting theelectrical components of the present invention. The protective housing 1comprises an interface surface 13, a base surface 14, and a lateral wall15, detailed in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 to FIG. 5. The interface surface 13 isthe adjacent surface to the rotary wheel 3, the primary joystick 4, theat least one thumbstick 5, and the plurality of programmable buttons 6,as the users interacts with the present invention. The base surface 14supports the present invention on a horizontal support, such as a tableor desk. The interface surface 13 is oppositely positioned with the basesurface 14 about the lateral wall 15, such that the lateral wall 15encloses the protective housing 1 between the interface surface 13 andthe base surface 14.

The wheel-mounting extrusion 2 supports the rotary wheel 3 and theplurality of programmable buttons 6. The rotary wheel 3 allows the userto have precise control for inputs that correlate well with tasksinvolving 360-degree revolution, such as steering a vehicle in a vehiclesimulation program, or linear translation, such as scrolling to panimages or text displayed to the user. The wheel-mounting extrusion 2 isexternally connected to the interface surface 13. The wheel-mountingextrusion 2 is oriented away from the base surface 14 to allow the userto effectively interact with the rotary wheel 3, shown in FIG. 3 to FIG.6. The rotary wheel 3 extrusion is positioned around the wheel-mountingextrusion 2. The rotary wheel 3 is rotatably connected about thewheel-mounting extrusion 2, such that the user is able to revolve therotary wheel 3 about the wheel-mounting extrusion 2.

In accordance to FIG. 1 to FIG. 8, the primary joystick 4 and the atleast one thumbstick 5 provide the user with input in two dimensions.The primary joystick 4 is pivotably and centrally connected to thewheel-mounting extrusion 2. The primary joystick 4 is positioned withinthe wheel-mounting extrusion 2, detailed FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The primaryjoystick 4 is oppositely oriented to the base surface 14, shown in FIG.3. In a neutral position, the primary joystick 4 is concentricallypositioned with the wheel-mounting extrusion 2 to allow a full range ofmotion of the primary joystick 4 bounded by the wheel-mounting extrusion2, shown in FIG. 2. The at least one thumbstick 5 is pivotably connectedto the protective housing 1. The at least one thumbstick 5 traversesthrough the interface surface 13, shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8. The atleast one thumbstick 5 is radially offset from the rotary wheel 3. Theat least one thumbstick 5 is preferred to be oriented away from the basesurface 14, shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 6. In this configuration, the useris able to effectively manipulate the at least one thumbstick 5simultaneously with the primary joystick 4 or the rotary wheel 3.

The plurality of programmable buttons 6 allows the user to toggle theinput from the primary joystick 4 between respective subsets of macrosof the plurality of macros associated with each programmable button ofthe plurality of programmable buttons 6, expanding the possible inputswith the primary joystick 4. In accordance to FIG. 2, the plurality ofprogrammable buttons 6 is pressably mounted to the wheel-mountingextrusion 2, such that each programmable button is able to be depressedby the user to generate an input signal. The plurality of programmablebuttons 6 is oppositely positioned to the interface surface 13, alongthe wheel-mounting extrusion 2. The plurality of programmable buttons 6is preferred to be evenly distributed about the wheel-mounting housingto reduce the possibility of the user depressing more than oneprogrammable button at a time. When a programmable button of theplurality of programmable buttons 6 is depressed, a respective set ofmacros from the plurality of macros is assigned to regional positions ofthe primary joystick 4.

In accordance to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the microcontroller 7 receivesinputs from the rotary wheel 3, the primary joystick 4, the at least onethumbstick 5, and the plurality of programmable buttons 6 to communicatethe respective user inputs to the computing device. The microcontroller7 stores the assignment for plurality of macros for the respective userinput to translate the user input into the corresponding input signalfor the computing device. The microcontroller 7 is internally mountedwithin the protective housing 1. The rotary wheel 3, the primaryjoystick 4, the at least one thumbstick 5, and the plurality ofprogrammable buttons 6 are electronically connected to themicrocontroller 7 such that the microcontroller 7 can process therespective inputs from the rotary wheel 3, the primary joystick 4, theat least one thumbstick 5, and the plurality of programmable buttons 6to the computing device.

More specifically, the rotary wheel 3 is electronically connected to themicrocontroller 7 through a displacement sensor 18, detailed in FIG. 7and FIG. 8. The angular displacement of the rotary wheel 3 is measuredthrough the displacement sensor 18, including but not limited to adigital sensor, an analog sensor, or an optical sensor in order totranslate the angular displacement of the rotary wheel 3 into the inputsignal for the computing device. The primary joystick 4 iselectronically connected to the microcontroller 7 through apotentiometer 19 of the primary joystick 4 Similarly, each thumbstick ofthe at least one thumbstick 5 is electronically connected to themicrocontroller 7 through a corresponding potentiometer for eachthumbstick. Therefore, the motion of the primary joystick 4 and each ofat least one thumbstick is able to be translated into an input signalfor the computing device.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the present inventioncomprises a sagittal plane 8, and the at least one thumbstick 5 is afirst thumbstick 16 and a second thumbstick 17, detailed in FIG. 2 andFIG. 3. The sagittal plane 8 is a reference for the positioning of thefirst thumbstick 16 and the second thumbstick 17. The sagittal plane 8bisects the primary joystick 4 and the protective housing 1,perpendicular to the base surface 14. The first thumbstick 16 and thesecond thumbstick 17 are offset from the sagittal plane 8. The firstthumbstick 16 and the second thumbstick 17 are oppositely positioned toeach other about the sagittal plane 8. This configuration allows thepresent invention to be used ambidextrously instead of exclusively theleft hand or right hand.

In accordance to the preferred embodiment, the present inventioncomprises a wrist rest 9, shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3. The wrist rest 9supports the user's wrist to prevent strain to the user's wrist whilemanipulating the present invention. The wrist rest 9 is adjacentlyconnected to the interfacing surface. The wrist rest 9 being oppositelyoriented to the base surface 14. The at least one thumbstick 5 ispositioned between the wheel-mounting extrusion 2 and the wrist rest 9,to allow the user's wrist to be positioned on the wrist rest 9, theuser's corresponding thumb manipulating the at least one thumbstick 5,and the user's remaining digits for the respective hand to manipulatethe rotary wheel 3 or the primary joystick 4. For a more specificembodiment of the present invention, the present invention comprises awrist pad 10, detailed in FIG. 6. The wrist pad 10 provides a cushionfor the user's wrist supported by the wrist rest 9. The wrist pad 10 isadjacently connected to the wrist rest 9. The wrist pad 10 is oppositelypositioned to the interfacing surface about the wrist rest 9 to allowthe user's wrist to be supported by the wrist rest 9 through the wristpad 10.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the present inventioncomprises a bus connector 11, shown in FIG. 7. The bus connector 11engages a computer bus in order to transfer the input signal from themicrocontroller 7 to the computing device. The bus connector 11traverses through the protective housing 1. The bus connector 11 iselectronically connected to the microcontroller 7. The bus connector 11engages the computer bus to communicate the input signal from themicrocontroller 7 to the computing device.

In some other embodiments of the present invention, the presentinvention comprises a wireless transmitter 12, detailed in FIG. 8. Thewireless transmitter 12 allows the present invention to communicate withthe computing device without tethering the present invention to thecomputing device. The wireless transmitter 12 is internally mounted tothe protective housing 1. The wireless transmitter 12 is electronicallyconnected to the microcontroller 7. In addition, the wirelesstransmitter 12 is communicatively coupled with the computing devicethrough an appropriate wireless protocol, such as radio frequency,Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, in order to communicate the input signal from themicrocontroller 7 to the computing device.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferredembodiment, it is to be understood that many other possiblemodifications and variations can be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A motion control device for interfacing with acomputing device comprises: a protective housing comprises an interfacesurface, a base surface, and a lateral wall; the interface surface beingoppositely positioned with the base surface, about the lateral wall; awheel-mounting extrusion being externally connected to the interfacesurface; the wheel-mounting extrusion being oriented away from the basesurface; a rotary wheel being rotatably connected about thewheel-mounting extrusion; a primary joystick being pivotably andcentrally connected to wheel-mounting extrusion; the primary joystickbeing positioned within the wheel-mounting extrusion; at least onethumbstick being pivotably connected to the protective housing; the atleast one thumbstick being radially offset from the rotary wheel; aplurality of programmable buttons being pressably mounted to thewheel-mounting extrusion; the plurality of programmable buttons beingoppositely positioned to the interface surface, along the wheel mountingextrusion; a microcontroller being internally mounted within theprotective housing; and the rotary wheel, the primary joystick, the atleast one thumbstick, and the plurality of programmable buttons beingelectronically connected to the microcontroller.
 2. The motion controldevice for interfacing with a computing device, as claimed in claim 1,comprises: the plurality of programmable buttons being evenlydistributed about the wheel-mounting extrusion.
 3. The motion controldevice for interfacing with a computing device, as claimed in claim 1,comprises: the at least one thumbstick being a first thumbstick and asecond thumbstick; the first thumbstick and the second thumbstick beingoffset from a sagittal plane; and the first thumbstick and the secondthumbstick being oppositely positioned to each other about the sagittalplane.
 4. The motion control device for interfacing with a computingdevice, as claimed in claim 1, comprises: a wrist rest being adjacentlyconnected to the interfacing surface; and the wrist rest beingoppositely oriented to the base surface.
 5. The motion control devicefor interfacing with a computing device, as claimed in claim 4,comprises: the at least one thumbstick being positioned between thewheel-mounting extrusion and the wrist rest.
 6. The motion controldevice for interfacing with a computing device, as claimed in claim 1,comprises: a wrist pad being adjacently connected to the wrist rest; andthe wrist pad being oppositely positioned to the interfacing surfaceabout the wrist rest.
 7. The motion control device for interfacing witha computing device, as claimed in claim 1, comprises: a bus connectortraversing through the protective housing; and the bus connector beingelectronically connected to the microcontroller.
 8. The motion controldevice for interfacing with a computing device, as claimed in claim 1,comprises: a wireless transmitter being internally mounted to theprotective housing; and the wireless transmitter being electronicallyconnected to the microcontroller.
 9. The motion control device forinterfacing with a computing device, as claimed in claim 1, comprises:the rotary wheel being electronically connected to the microcontrollerthrough a displacement sensor.
 10. The motion control device forinterfacing with a computing device, as claimed in claim 1, comprises:the primary being electronically connected to the microcontrollerthrough a potentiometer of the primary joystick.
 11. The motion controldevice for interfacing with a computing device, as claimed in claim 1,comprises: each thumbstick of the at least one thumbstick beingelectronically connected to the microcontroller through a correspondingpotentiometer for each thumbstick.
 12. The motion control device forinterfacing with a computing device, as claimed in claim 1, comprises:the primary joystick being oppositely oriented to the base surface. 13.The motion control device for interfacing with a computing device, asclaimed in claim 1, comprises: the at least one thumbstick beingoriented away from the base surface.
 14. The motion control device forinterfacing with a computing device, as claimed in claim 1, comprises:the at least one thumbstick traversing though the interface surface.